ABC/Eric McCandless(HOUSTON) -- Note to journalists: Do not ask Samuel L. Jackson what he thinks about the use of the "N" word in his latest film, Django Unchained.

During an interview with Fox's Houston affiliate, KRIV-TV, to promote the Quentin Tarantino flick, Jackson engaged in an awkward exchange with critic Jake Hamilton in which he refused to answer a question about the controversy unless Hamilton said the word.

The conversation, which was posted online last month but didn't make headlines until Wednesday, began with Hamilton mentioning the persistent talk over the inclusion of the "N" word in the script.

Hamilton, who's white, told Jackson he didn't want to say the word. When Jackson asked him if he's ever said it before, Hamilton replied in the negative, after which Jackson demanded he do so.

Hamilton repeatedly refused, with Jackson exclaiming, "We're not going to have this conversation unless you say it."

Jackson then asked, "You want to move on to another question?" and laughed when the interviewer answered, "OK." Hamilton asked Jackson if he would say the word, to which Jackson replied, "F*** no. It's not the same thing."

Hamilton moved on, but not before telling the camera it was a good question. Jackson responded, "No it wasn’t. It wasn't a great question if you can't say the word."